We are all human. As human's we often will have the same tendencies that Paul did in Romans " I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it."
So therefore as humans we all can use help holding to the truth. This is nothing new. The Bible is full of scripture that encourage's us to build each other up and help to keep each other going in the right direction...
Romans 12:5 - so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Hebrews 3:12-13 - Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
James 5:16 - Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Galatians 6:2 - Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
So therefore with every challenge that is posted on this blog we encourage you to find an accountability partner or to be held accountable in the online community here by posting your comments and insights on each daily passage you read.
Terrie
Monday, May 2, 2016
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Why is Regular Time in God's Word Important?
The Bible talks about the benefits of reading, learning, listening to and obeying God's word. Below are just a few of the highlights :-)
God's word is living and active
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
We cannot live on bread alone
Matthew 4:4 - People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God
Wisdom is found in it
Timothy 3:15 - You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 7:24-27 - Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash
So you are equipped for battle
Ephesians 6:17 - Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
To keep your way pure
Psalms 119:9 - How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
To store up God's word in your heart
Psalms 119:11 - I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
This is just a small representation of why we, as disciples of Jesus Christ need to be dedicating time each day to spend reading our Bible's. If you do not own a Bible there are several great sites online where you can read from, there are great free apps for iphone and android, and if you want a hard copy many times thrift stores will have some in their book section for a really great price.
Some other thoughts on reading your Bible...
The entire Bible read cover to cover takes approximately 75 hours or less to read. So to read through the Bible in a year you would need to commit around 12 minutes per day. Under an hour and a half per week. It is not a huge commitment but it is the one thing that you will do in your day that will benefit you in ways you can't even imagine yet.
Some other thoughts about the Word of God:
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father,) full of grace and truth.
Jesus is literally a part of every word we read in Scriptures. He was the word, He was with God, He is God, He became flesh and lived with us! Which means the power and authority that we are given by Jesus Christ, which gives us access as equals to the inheritance of heaven, is encased in each and every word we read as well. Each word shows us more about who God is.
Matthew 4:4 (Deuteronomy 8:3)
But He answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
I know in my life this is very true.
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
You need faith (knowing what God's word says and believing that He will do what He says He will do) to please God and to come to His throne boldly. The way to get faith is to hear God's word.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
There is sacrifice in diligently seeking God but the rewards far outweigh anything we need to give up to seek His face.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be adequate, perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.
It is so important to know what the word of God says for yourself and to study the scriptures. I encourage you to not rely on what anyone else says about the Bible no matter how many letters are behind their name or how much you respect them as a teacher, we are all human. If it doesn't line up with what the word of God actually says then it is a doctrine based on tradition and not on God. No matter what any book, commentary, sermon or person says, if it doesn't line up with the word of God then it isn't true. I cannot emphasize enough that you can only live a victorious life as a disciple of Jesus Christ if you know what the Bible says for yourself and not only by hear say, rumor or second hand information.
We will be having Bible reading challenges on a regular basis here on our blog. I hope that this will help many become people who LOVE the word of God for themselves :-)
Terrie
God's word is living and active
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
We cannot live on bread alone
Matthew 4:4 - People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God
Wisdom is found in it
Timothy 3:15 - You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 7:24-27 - Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash
So you are equipped for battle
Ephesians 6:17 - Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
To keep your way pure
Psalms 119:9 - How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
To store up God's word in your heart
Psalms 119:11 - I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
This is just a small representation of why we, as disciples of Jesus Christ need to be dedicating time each day to spend reading our Bible's. If you do not own a Bible there are several great sites online where you can read from, there are great free apps for iphone and android, and if you want a hard copy many times thrift stores will have some in their book section for a really great price.
Some other thoughts on reading your Bible...
The entire Bible read cover to cover takes approximately 75 hours or less to read. So to read through the Bible in a year you would need to commit around 12 minutes per day. Under an hour and a half per week. It is not a huge commitment but it is the one thing that you will do in your day that will benefit you in ways you can't even imagine yet.
Some other thoughts about the Word of God:
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father,) full of grace and truth.
Jesus is literally a part of every word we read in Scriptures. He was the word, He was with God, He is God, He became flesh and lived with us! Which means the power and authority that we are given by Jesus Christ, which gives us access as equals to the inheritance of heaven, is encased in each and every word we read as well. Each word shows us more about who God is.
Matthew 4:4 (Deuteronomy 8:3)
But He answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
I know in my life this is very true.
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
You need faith (knowing what God's word says and believing that He will do what He says He will do) to please God and to come to His throne boldly. The way to get faith is to hear God's word.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
There is sacrifice in diligently seeking God but the rewards far outweigh anything we need to give up to seek His face.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be adequate, perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.
It is so important to know what the word of God says for yourself and to study the scriptures. I encourage you to not rely on what anyone else says about the Bible no matter how many letters are behind their name or how much you respect them as a teacher, we are all human. If it doesn't line up with what the word of God actually says then it is a doctrine based on tradition and not on God. No matter what any book, commentary, sermon or person says, if it doesn't line up with the word of God then it isn't true. I cannot emphasize enough that you can only live a victorious life as a disciple of Jesus Christ if you know what the Bible says for yourself and not only by hear say, rumor or second hand information.
We will be having Bible reading challenges on a regular basis here on our blog. I hope that this will help many become people who LOVE the word of God for themselves :-)
Terrie
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